“All leaders are learners. The moment you stop learning, you stop leading. I learn as much as I can, from as many as I can, as often as I can.”
– Rick Warren
My interactions with school leaders over the past few years have revealed a common thread. All of them have been learners in their journey of becoming a leader. They chose to keep learning when things were going well as well as when the way ahead seemed overwhelming, unfamiliar, or uncomfortable.
Most leaders I have met began humbly, at the lowest rung of the ladder, then moved to leading through what they had learnt there. What kept them from stagnating was their curiosity and courage to challenge status quo. They consistently sought newness and were fearless to give up what no longer served them.
I read this many years ago.
‘If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!”
– Richard Branson.
When I embarked on my journey as a school leader, a novice one at that, I encountered several challenging tasks that pushed me far beyond my comfort zone. There were moments when I had to act and figure things out at the same time, with high stakes and no clear roadmap. Each of those experiences came with discomfort, self-doubt and a sense of pressure. The outcome from each was a growing faith in the strength of teamwork and in myself. Over time, I found myself accustomed to navigating complexities. I have learned that growth rarely comes wrapped in comfort, but it is in those messy and uncertain moments the learner-leader in me grows stronger.
The path to become a learner-leader was to being open to examine old beliefs, having the humility to question them, and being flexible to explore new ways of thinking and doing. The climb up the ladder is not just positional, it is often a climb of perspective and purpose that stems from a nagging desire to contribute more and add value.
The willingness to learn is complemented by the capacity to unlearn and relearn. As Alvin. Toffler reminds us:
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”
In a world marked by constant change, lifelong learners will thrive. A learner-leader seeks meaningful challenges. They step into situations that are unfamiliar, at times intimidating, because they know that growth brings growing pains along with it. Growth is a signal that the old no longer fits. It invites us into new ways of being, doing, and becoming. Backed by neuroscience, learning new things supports the brain’s neuroplasticity, opening new pathways and expanding our capacity to adapt. Whether it is through training programs, learning a new language or skill, or having tough conversations, learner-leaders treat these as rich opportunities. They genuinely love what they do, and they put in the work, not for validation, but because of an inner standard. The extra mile is not a performance but a cherished value.
They stay motivated by the process of learning itself, not just by results, showcasing a growth mindset. Things will go wrong, that is part of the process. But each failure leaves us wiser than before. It is the fear of failure that holds us back, and not trying often leaves us with nothing but regret.
Leadership, at its heart, is not self-serving. It is about amplifying the potential of others. And when a leader is an enthusiastic learner, that creates a ripple effect of growth and inspiration across their teams and communities, often becoming the culture of the organization.
Lifelong learner-leaders are often voracious readers who don’t just read for knowledge or to stay updated, they read to understand, to shift perspectives, and to have options. For them, professional development is not an annual checkbox, it is on their daily to-do list. They invest time and energy in reflective practices such as journaling, seeking active feedback, engage in coaching, and hold space for deep conversations that help them apply their learning in leadership.
So, ask yourself:
What am I doing today to remain a learner?
Am I leading from a place of comfort or a place that stretches me to grow?
In what ways am I showing up as a learner leader?
Behind every impactful leader is a relentless learner.